Can Agave Grow Indoors?

Grow the agave outside in the summer.

Agave (Agave spp.) is a group of succulent plants that thrive in areas with warm temperatures and full sun all day. Growers who live in areas with chilly winter temperatures typically grow the plant outdoors when the weather is nice and bring it indoors during winter. Because agaves are slow-growers, however, if you can provide it with the high amount of sunlight it requires, it can be grown indoors year-round.

Agaves to Consider

Most agaves have thorns, called spines, which make them inappropriate as houseplants, especially in a home with kids and pets. Luckily, several species are spine-free. Consider the bracted century plant (Agave bracteosa). It lacks thorns and resembles the popular houseplant called the spider plant, even producing pups in maturity. You may also want to try the fox tail agave (Agave attenuata), which brings with it the added bonus of shade tolerance.

Containers

Any agave can be grown in a container, according to Horticulture magazine. Since the plant’s roots grow out, instead of down, choose a wide, shallow container in which to grow it. Large varieties, such as A. angustifolis, may require a pot as large as 36 inches in diameter. Smaller agave plants, such as A. colorata, require far less space and thus a smaller pot.

Soil

One of the best favors you can bestow on your agave is to ensure it’s being grown in a fast-draining soil. If not, the plant may experience a host of problems, including fungal infections that cause split leaves. In nature, agaves thrive in rocky soils that are quick-draining. Grow the agave in a commercial cactus or succulent mix. If you prefer to make your own potting mix, combine 1 part organic matter (such as compost or manure), to 5 parts inorganic matter, such a coarse sand or grit.

Light and Temperature

Agave plants need lots of sunshine, but too much may burn the foliage. Octopus agave (A. vilmoriniana) and foxtail agave (A. attenuata) are particularly susceptible to sunburn. Find a sunny west-facing window and put the pot nearby, but keep an eye on the foliage. Move the plant further from the sunshine if it begins exhibiting signs of sunburn. Because agaves are desert plants, they also thrive in warm temperatures, so ensure that the environment remains between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Water and Fertilizer

Water the agave once every week in the summer and monthly during the rest of the year. Fertilize the agave once a month while it’s actively growing. Use a liquid 10-10-10 fertilizer and apply it to the soil in the container just after the monthly watering. In the summer, dilute the fertilizer to one-fourth the recommended rate and fertilize after every watering.

About the Author

Based in the American Southwest, Bridget Kelly has been writing about gardening and real estate since 2005. Her articles have appeared at Trulia.com, SFGate.com, GardenGuides.com, RE/MAX.com, MarketLeader.com, RealEstate.com, USAToday.com and in "Chicago Agent" magazine, to name a few. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in creative writing.